Cherries are at their peak in season: Try this irresistible treat that combines crispy dough and juicy fruit

Few fruits herald summer as strongly as cherries. These days their season is reaching its peak, and the red fruits are full of sweetness, freshness, and aromas reminiscent of long sunny days.

Cherries are beloved for their natural sweetness and juiciness, while sour cherries have a distinctive refreshing tartness that makes them perfect for cakes, pies, and other summer treats. That's why now is the perfect time to use them in desserts that celebrate the best of the seasonal fruit.

One such recipe is cherry soufra – an attractive dessert of Mediterranean origin that combines crispy layers of thin pastry, a creamy filling and the rich taste of cherries. The result is a dessert that looks impressive, but is simpler to prepare than it might seem at first glance.

Ingredients

For the dough

375 g thin pie crusts 150 g melted butter 300 g pitted cherries, halved For the fruit sauce

250 g pitted cherries 2 tablespoons sugar For the creamy topping

200 ml sweet cream 100 g granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste

Preparation

Heat the oven to 180 degrees.

First, prepare the fruit sauce. Place the fruit and sugar in a small saucepan and cook for about ten minutes, until the fruit is soft. Let it cool, then blend into a smooth sauce.

Grease a round baking dish about 30 centimeters in diameter with butter. Grease a few crusts with butter and arrange them around the bottom and sides of the dish.

Stack the remaining crusts in pairs, brushing them with butter. Then gently fold them together like an accordion and twist them into a spiral. Arrange the spirals side by side in the dish, making sure to leave enough space between them so that the filling can penetrate.

For the creamy topping, whisk together the sour cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth.

Slowly pour over the dough, filling all the gaps between the layers. Arrange the fruit between the folds of the crust.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the surface is golden brown and has a crispy texture.

After baking, let the dessert rest for a few minutes, then pour some of the prepared fruit sauce over it. Serve the rest on the side.

The perfect taste of summer

Cherry soufra is at its most delicious while still slightly warm, when the crispy layers of dough blend perfectly with the creamy filling and aromatic fruit. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of coffee, this dessert can easily become the star of any summer table.

If you've bought more cherries than you can eat fresh these days, or you have them in your garden, this is one of the best ways to take advantage of their full season.